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HOW do chess players age? The Garry Kasparov vs. Anatoly Karpov exhibition games give a picture –and it isn’t pretty.

Karpov was once the best speed chess player in the world. But at 58 he repeatedly got in disastrous time trouble, even in the four 25-minute games.

Kasparov, on the other hand, could rely on his enormous stash of opening innovations that he amassed before retiring from tournament chess four years ago. But lack of practice — and being 46 — betrayed him.

In their first game in Valencia, Spain, Kasparov’s innovation at move 17 sent Karpov, who was White, into a disastrous “big think.” Seven moves later he forfeited, in a slightly worse position.

The third game was nearly a repeat. Kasparov innovated on move 13. Karpov thought too much and had only four seconds left by move 35.

But in just the kind of tactical melee that used to be his forte, Kasparov played a bad move and two horrible ones and resigned when Karpov was about to queen.

In the other two games Karpov put up little resistance. His three losses were among the worst games he ever played.